M6 traffic UPDATES: Woman found dead and road shut ‘all day’ in both directions

The M6 has been shut in both directions after a woman was tragically found dead on the motorway in Greater Manchester. Traffic has come to a standstill between junctions 23 at the East Lancs Road and 26 at the M58 Orrell interchange this morning. Greater Manchester Police[1] (GMP) Traffic is leading the response to the incident, which happened on the southbound carriageway[2] between junctions 25 and 24 near Ashton-in-Makerfield. The affected stretch[3] is expected to remain closed throughout the day.

10:06Eliana Nunes

Map shows congestion on M6

Google Maps shows the closure on a stretch of the motorway as well as congestion in the area.

The motorway is shut in both directions between junctions 23 and 26 (Google Maps)09:41KEY EVENT

Woman pronounced dead on M6

Greater Manchester Police has issued the following statement: "Officers were called to reports of a concern for welfare on the M6 at around 7:42am this morning (Friday, January 16 2026).

"Sadly a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Formal identification has yet to take place but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances. "Junctions 23-26 are currently closed both north and southbound which is causing significant disruption and we would encourage a review of travel plans and ask for patience as emergency services conduct their enquiries."

09:38Eliana Nunes

Delays of 45 minutes northbound

National Highways said: "The M6 in Greater Manchester is closed in both directions from J26 (Orrell #M58 Junction) to J23 (Haydock) and due to a police led incident.

"Emergency services including Greater Manchester Police are in attendance. National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene. "There are currently delays of 45 minutes on the approach to the northbound closure, with four miles of congestion.

Southbound, there are 20 minute delays, three miles of congestion. "Due to the nature of the incident there is currently no estimation for when the road will be reopen. "We currently believe the M6 will remain closed throughout the day."

09:31KEY EVENT

M6 shut in both directions, National Highways says

National Highways said the M6 is closed in both directions between junctions 23 and 26 due to an incident that took place between junctions 25 and 24 southbound near Ashton-in-Makerfield.

#M6[4] is closed both ways btwn J23 (#Haydock[5]) and J26 (#Orrell[6] #M58[7] junction) due to a @gmptraffic[8] led Incident on the M6 south btwn J25-J24 near #Ashton[9]-in-Makerfield.

Current info from scene indicates the M6 will remain closed for a number of hours.

Updates to follow soon. pic.twitter.com/rVuG7qpOG5[10]

-- National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) January 16, 2026[11]

References

1. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ carriageway (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ affected stretch (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ #M6 (twitter.com)
5. ^ #Haydock (twitter.com)
6. ^ #Orrell (twitter.com)
7. ^ #M58 (twitter.com)
8. ^ @gmptraffic (twitter.com)
9. ^ #Ashton (twitter.com)
10. ^ pic.twitter.com/rVuG7qpOG5 (t.co)
11. ^ January 16, 2026 (twitter.com)